local
Parents say Brainerd teen was bullied before suicide; district reviewing response
By Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 16, 2026
· 8 min read
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Parents say Brainerd teen was bullied before suicide; district reviewing response
Chantel Smith and B...
Key takeaway ” “She put her whole soul into it,” Smith said.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The tragic death of Alexis, a 13-year-old Forestview Middle School student, has raised urgent questions about the school district's response to bullying. As the district reviews its handling of the situation, Minneapolis residents are left to wonder if similar incidents could be happening in their own community. The fact that Alexis reported the bullying to school staff, only to have her parents claim they were never notified, is particularly disturbing. This incident comes as a stark reminder that bullying can have devastating consequences, and that schools must take a more proactive approach to addressing it. With another Forestview Middle School student having died by suicide just three weeks prior, it is clear that the district must take immediate action to prevent further tragedies. The community's outpouring of support for Alexis' family is a testament to the impact she had on those around her, and it is now up to the school district to ensure that no other family has to suffer a similar loss.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 8 min
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What is this story about? @keyframes spin {
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Parents say Brainerd teen was bullied before suicide; district reviewing response
Chantel Smith and B...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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